Groot Melkhuis

Good stuff

• Enormous playground, including several swings, sandpit, zip wire, see-saws, roundabout - all the hits

• Loads of outdoor seating

Beware

• You have to pay to use the toilet on weekends

• The indoor eating area has no particular accommodations for children, meaning this venue comes into its own in good weather (or at least, not terrible weather)

• Canteen style ordering can be annoying if you’re supervising your child(ren) solo

The full details

You may notice that there is actually no coffee featured in any of the photographs for this review. That’s because I didn’t have any coffee when we visited the Groot Melkhuis. I actually rarely get anything to eat or drink when we visit the Groot Melkhuis. The playground is very much a distinct entity of its own. 

In one way that’s a massive plus, as it’s a fantastic playground. Notable features include a large sandpit with communal toys, three sets of swings, an extensive climbing frame, zip wire, two roundabouts, a slide, two see-saws, several other installations that I don’t even know the names for, and a nice view of the nearby ducks. The separation of cafe and play area also means that there’s no need to feel obliged to constantly top up your order in order to ‘earn’ your place there.

On the other hand, it can be a bit of a shame to feel so separate from the actual restaurant if you’ve gone there for food and drink. The numerous picnic tables within the playground do serve as a good middle ground though. To me it feels more like a playground with a very conveniently located cafe nearby, rather than a cafe with a play area.

As well as the playground there is also a collection of ride-on vehicles, although none of these are actually functioning. Perversely I prefer it that way as there’s no question of whether we’re going to put money in or not. 

Every summer that we have been here there has been a bouncy castle up on weekends, so I presume it is due back for this summer as well…

The menu is a reliable array of sandwiches, salads, burgers and borrel. In the summer a pizza oven is lit in a cabin outside and although I have never tried these, I’ve heard they are very good.

The customer-base of the playground is extremely international, so if that includes you, it’s likely you might hear another set of parents speaking your language here!

We had a great time this visit, as we always do. One of these days I might actually buy myself a coffee.